The “ewe” is stated to be found? Unsought
90 In that case, but not rescued, she is proved.
But now choice is allowed of entering
Wedlock, as hath been ever; and that choice
Sure progeny hath yoked: nations are born
And folk scarce numerable, at whose birth
95 Their souls by living bodies are received;
Nor was it meet that Paul (though, for the time,
He did exhort some few, discerning well
The many pressures of a straitened time)
To counsel men in like case to abide
100 As he himself: for elsewhere he has bidden
The tender ages marry, nor defraud
Each other, but their compact’s dues discharge.
But say, whose suasion hath, with fraud astute,
Made you “abide,” and in divided love
105 Of offspring live secure, and commit crime
Adulterous, and lose your life? and, though
’Tis perishing, belie (by verbal name)
That fact. For which cause all the so sweet sounds
Of his voice pours he forth, that “you must do,
110 Undaunted, whatsoever pleases you;”
Outwardly chaste, stealthily stained with crime!
Of honourable wedlock, by this plea,
He hath deprived you. But why more? ’Tis well
(Forsooth) to be disjoined! for the world, too,
115 Expedient ’tis! lest any of your seed
Be born! Then will death’s organs cease at length!
The while you hope salvation to retain,
Your “total man” quite loses part of man,
With mind profane: but neither is man said
120 To be sole spirit, nor the flesh is called
“The old man;” nor unfriendly are the flesh
And spirit, the true man combined in one,
The inner, and he whom you call “old foe;”
Nor are they seen to have each his own set
125 Of senses. One is ruled; the other rules,
Groans, joys, grieves, loves; himself to his own flesh
Most dear, too; through which his humanity
Is visible, with which commixt he is
Held ever: to its wounds he care applies;
130 And pours forth tears; and nutriments of food
Takes, through its limbs, often and eagerly:
This hopes he to have ever with himself
Immortal; o’er its fracture doth he groan;